About Austin

Austin

Austin used to be a pleasant surprise for business students and visitors from out of state, but the city's great weather, friendly atmosphere, and thriving economy are no longer secrets. In May 2010, Kiplinger's named Austin the top city for business for the next decade.

Demographers call Austin a "City of Ideas," one of a handful of American regions where a new creative class of entrepreneurs, business leaders, artists and visionaries are reshaping the model for American prosperity.

A well-educated work force, a world-class research university, a favorable business climate, a reasonable tax structure, and an outstanding quality of life are the top five reasons why companies choose Austin. Over 800 semi-conductor, energy, computer and software companies call Austin home. Other industries, such as biosciences, multi-media, film, music and logistics and distribution are well-represented and growing.

The McCombs School of Business benefits from strong relationships with our local business community. They join us as research partners, recruiters, visiting lecturers, practicum sponsors, and guest speakers.

Austin also boasts scenic beauty, a laid-back atmosphere, a highly educated population and a lively arts and music scene. The city is bluebonnets and blues, high-tech and hill country, research and recreation.

Culture and Recreation

Live Music in Austin

Austin, known as the Live Music Capital of the World, stands ready to entertain. With some 120 music venues and nearly 1,000 musicians in residence, great live music can be heard 365 days a year. Austin musicians perform in every genre of music from rock, country, folk and blues to jazz, classical, Latino and world music. Austin knows how to jam with two main entertainment areas downtown, Sixth Street and the Warehouse District. Adding to its renown, Austin hosts the Austin City Limits Music Festival each fall and the international South by Southwest (SXSW) music and multimedia festival each spring.

LBJ Presidential Library and Museum

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is one of ten presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. The library houses forty million pages of historical documents which include the papers from the entire public career of Lyndon Baines Johnson and also from those of close associates. These papers and the vast administrative files from the presidency are used primarily by scholars. The museum provides year-round public viewing of its permanent historical and cultural exhibits. Special activities and exhibits are sponsored privately by the Friends of the LBJ Library and its parent organization, the LBJ Foundation.

UT Performing Arts Center

Since 1981, the University of Texas at Austin Performing Arts Center has played host to the greatest performing artists in theater, music and dance to the thrill and delight of millions in Central Texas. We've brought out the welcome mat to artists from every corner of the globe - cultural ambassadors who have shared their gifts of song and dance with the people of Austin and surrounding communities.

The Austin Symphony

The Austin Symphony was founded in 1911 and is Austin's oldest performing arts group. The Symphony offers outstanding classical music through a series of eight concert pairs running monthly September through April in Bass Concert Hall and the festive Holiday and Promenade Pops Concerts at Palmer Auditorium. Austin's historic Symphony Square at 11th and Red River is home to the Symphony's offices as well as the popular restaurant Cafe Serranos and the Women's Symphony League office.

The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

Austin's Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum features three floors of dynamic exhibits of the history of the Lone Star State. The museum's Texas Spirit Theater brings the story of Texas to life through incredible special effects. The museum is also home to Austin's only IMAX Theatre, which is also open in the evening.

The Austin Outdoors

Lake Travis

Lake Travis is a sixty-five-mile-long artificial lake on the Colorado River in southern Burnet and western Travis counties. Lake Travis abounds with water recreation and naturally attracts water sport enthusiasts. From multi class sailboat and windsurfing regattas to competition ski boat, cruisers, cigarettes and mansion-like houseboats, Lake Travis maintains the marina facilities, public parks, boat ramp access.

Lady Bird Lake and Hike & Bike Trail

Lady Bird Lake is an artificial lake on the Colorado River on the edge of downtown Austin where you can find people canoeing and enjoying the outdoors. Along Lady Bird Lake, people flock to the hike-and bike trails to walk, jog, bicycle, or otherwise enjoy the beauty of the Colorado River. This Beautiful gravel pathway circles the lake and is very popular for off-road bicycling, outdoor running, and strolling through Austin by foot.

Zilker Botanical Gardens

The Zilker Botanical Gardens are a montage in which flowers, shrubs, trees and ponds are integrated into a design that provides an environment of inspiration, beauty and tranquility. Hours: Open daily, 8:30 a.m.-sunset.

Mt. Bonnell

Climb the 99 steps to Mt. Bonnell and savor a violet-tinged sunset over Lake Austin and Westlake Hills from the most scenic and one of the highest points in the city limits (785 feet above sea level). Open daily, dawn until dusk.

Congress Avenue Bats

Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge is the summer home to over 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats. Their nightly exodus is among the most spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities in America. Bats are in residence from mid- March to late October and typically emerge just before dusk.

Neighborhoods

Texas

America’s Leading Business Environment

McCombs’ real-world business laboratory is like no other. With more Fortune 1000 and Fortune 500 companies in Texas than any other state (Fortune 2008), our students and faculty draw upon tremendous resources of experience, strategic partnerships, internships and career opportunities. Houston - 162 miles from Austin, Dallas - 193 miles and San Antonio - 79 miles are among the 10 largest cities in the U.S.

Cultural Diversity

The rich ethnic heritage that shaped the Texas culture is evident today all across Texas. Annual festivals celebrate the ethnic and historical roots of the cultures that comprise the Texas mosaic. Texas is the second most populated state in the United States, with more than 18 million people, and Austin is a globally connected city with a highly educated population. Texans are urbanized, with 80 percent living in city areas.

Texas Hills, Beaches and Parks

Texas has many lakes, mountains, Gulf of Mexico beaches, wildlife preserves and approximately 670,000 acres in the state park system. From hiking in the Big Bend National Park to deep-sea fishing off the Gulf Coast to sailing on many of the inland lakes, Texas holds great attraction for visitors and residents. Austin is in the heart of the wooded Texas hill country, with lakes, natural swimming areas, greenbelts, golf courses, jogging trails and bicycle courses.